Opposes more gun restrictions

Don't rush to judgment on gun control after school shootings

Q: [In the wake of the recent school shootings], let me ask you about the whole business with the National Rifle Association. Their idea seems basically to be just add armed security to all of our nations' schools. Do you think that's feasible?

SCOTT:
To rush to judgment, I think, is a bit premature on what we should do. We should take a very serious look at whatever it takes to keep our kids safe at school. We don't know what that is yet.

Q: But would you be in favor of changing some laws, like, for example, banning these assault weapons?

SCOTT: I would love to see what comes out of the committee [which Obama has just appointed], with Vice President Biden putting together
a holistic approach, looking at the opportunities to seriously address all the issues of mental illness to other issues, understanding what happened and why. After we have those answers, we'll be in a much better position to decide the path forward.

Second Amendment is cornerstone of our democracy

A proud member of the NRA, Tim supports the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, and to defend themselves, their family and their property.
Tim will protect our Second Amendment rights, which he believes is a fundamental freedom and a cornerstone of our democracy.

Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets.

The term 'large capacity ammunition feeding device' means a magazine or similar device that has an overall capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition

It shall be unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, or possess a large capacity ammunition feeding device.

Shall not apply to the possession of any large capacity ammunition feeding device otherwise lawfully possessed before 2013.

Shall not apply to qualified or retired law enforcement officers.

Proponent's Argument for voting Yes: Sen. BLUMENTHAL: This amendment would ban high-capacity magazines which are used to kill more people more quickly and, in fact, have been used in more than half the mass shootings since 1982. I ask my colleagues to listen to law enforcement, their police, prosecutors who are outgunned by criminals who use these high-capacity magazines. I ask that my colleagues also listen to the families of those killed by people who
used a high-capacity magazine.

Opponent's Argument for voting No: Sen. GRASSLEY. I oppose the amendment. In 2004, which is the last time we had the large-capacity magazine ban, a Department of Justice study found no evidence banning such magazines has led to a reduction in gun violence. The study also concluded it is not clear how often the outcomes of the gun attack depend on the ability of offenders to fire more than 10 shots without reloading. Secondly, there is no evidence banning these magazines has reduced the deaths from gun crimes. In fact, when the previous ban was in effect, a higher percentage of gun crime victims were killed or wounded than before it was adopted. Additionally, tens of millions of these magazines have been lawfully owned in this country for decades. They are in common use, not unusually dangerous, and used by law-abiding citizens in self-defense, as in the case of law enforcement.

Opposes restricting gun purchase & possession.

Scott opposes the PVS survey question on gun restrictions

Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 16% did so in the 2010 races.

Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Gun Issues: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?'

Loosen restrictions on interstate gun purchases.

Scott co-sponsored Firearms Interstate Commerce Reform Act

Congressional Summary:Amends the federal criminal code to:

allow licensed firearms dealers to sell or deliver any firearm (currently, rifles or shotguns) to any state if the licensee meets with the purchaser and the transaction complies with the laws of the state in which the transfer is conducted and the purchaser's state of residence; and

eliminate the requirement that a licensee must conduct business at a gun show only in the state that is specified on the licensee's license.

Nothing in this Act shall prohibit the sale of a firearm or ammunition between licensed firearms dealers at any location in any state.

Proponent's Comments (NRA-ILA, Oct. 14, 2011): This bill would remove several antiquated and unnecessary restrictions imposed on interstate firearms business since 1968:

Virtually all interstate transfers directly between private citizens are banned; so are nearly all interstate handgun sales by licensed dealers.

Firearms dealers may only do business at their licensed premises or (since 1986) at gun shows in their own state.

Dealers may not even transfer firearms to one another face to face, away from their business premises.

Allow veterans to register unlicensed guns acquired abroad.

Scott co-sponsored Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act

Provides a 90-day amnesty period during which veterans and their family members can register in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record any firearm acquired before October 31, 1968, by a veteran while a member of the Armed Forces stationed outside the continental United States.

Grants such an individual limited immunity with respect to the acquisition, possession, transportation, or alteration of such firearm before or concurrent with such registration.

Extends such immunity to a veteran who attempts to register a qualifying firearm outside of the amnesty period if the veteran surrenders the firearm within 30 days after being notified of potential criminal liability for continued possession.

Transfers each firearm qualifying as a curio or relic which has been forfeited to the United States to the first qualified museum that requests it

Publishes information identifying each such firearm which is available to be transferred to a museum.

Makes a prohibition against transfer or possession of a machine-gun inapplicable to museums.

Oppose the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty.

We write to express our concern and regret at your decision to sign the United Nations' Arms Trade Treaty. For the following reasons, we cannot give our advice and consent to this treaty:

The treaty violates a 2009 red line laid down by your own administration: "the rule of consensus decision-making." In April 2013, after the treaty failed to achieve consensus, it was adopted by majority vote in the UN General Assembly.

The treaty allows amendments by a 3/4 majority vote. When amended, it will become a source of political and legal pressure on the US to comply in practice with amendments it was unwilling to accept.

The treaty includes only a weak, non-binding reference to the lawful ownership and use of firearms, and recognizes none of these activities, much less individual self-defense, as fundamental individual rights. It encourages governments to collect the identities of individual end users of imported firearms at the national level,
which would constitute the core of a national gun registry

The State Department has acknowledged that the treaty is "ambiguous." By becoming party to the treaty, the US would therefore be accepting commitments that are inherently unclear.

The criteria at the heart of the treaty are vague and easily politicized. They will steadily subject the US to the influence of internationally-defined norms, a process that would impinge on our national sovereignty.

The treaty criteria as established could hinder the US in fulfilling its strategic, legal, and moral commitments to provide arms to key allies such as Taiwan and Israel.

We urge you to notify the treaty depository that the US does not intend to ratify the Arms Trade Treaty, and is therefore not bound by its obligations. As members of the Senate, we pledge to oppose the ratification of this treaty, and we give notice that we do not regard the US as bound to uphold its object and purpose.